2011 was my first experience with One Little Word. My word was “notice.”
I have thoroughly enjoyed this endeavor. While I didn’t always like the prompt suggested by Ali Edwards, and occasionally created my own, I found the questions and tasks provocative and worthy of thought. Discerning why I wanted to engage in the prompt, or not, was often the most valuable part of the exercise. It helped that I was intent on creating a book that I treasured, not just a collection of monthly projects. (It was sweet to hear my daughter say, “I want this book someday.”)
The months that were the most fun for me involved 
photography, art and poetry. Prompts where I felt forced to take a perspective that wasn’t natural for me were the most challenging but thinking about why the prompt bothered me told me things about myself I hadn’t been aware of.
I love the word I chose this year; in fact I don’t think I’ll really be leaving it behind next year, rather, my new word will become a layer over the old – like lace over silk. I am sure the two words will interact with each other in ways I can’t imagine. I’m excited to see what happens.
I’ve been thinking hard the past few weeks about a word for 2012. Knowing how it felt to explore my word creatively and in writing over this past year has me looking for a word with lots of dimensions.
Right now I have chosen the word “thirst.” I’ve got a week for it to take up residence in my soul before I begin a new journey.
update 12-31-2011
I thought about being thirsty all week and realized I was most thirsty for delight – 2011 was a tough year. So my One Little Word for 2012 will be “delight.” Bring it on!
December 27th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
It’s been great to see what everyone has chosen or is thinking about choosing. And thank you for telling about last year. I did part of the year, but didn’t sign up for the class, so what you’ve said intrigues me. Notice is really a good word, & thirst, hm-m! My mind is humming along. Thanks for sharing.
December 27th, 2011 at 12:32 pm
Thank you! I am thinking I need to look into this for 2012. My 2011 word would certainly have been “notice, ” too. I think I have done well. 2012 might have to be “discover,” or “venture” (as in “forth in new directions.”) I will be in touch.
December 27th, 2011 at 1:52 pm
What a great slice when considering the choices we give to students, don’t you think?
Bonnie
December 27th, 2011 at 3:08 pm
I love the image of the word taking up resdence in your soul. That is just beautiful language! I’ve been pondering a word but I’m still mulling it around. It’s interesting to read the backstory of everyone’s word.
December 27th, 2011 at 5:11 pm
Love that word – THIRST – it could be a great word for so many places in my life. I am planning to use many of the same prompts Ali gave us and I have plenty of page protectors left over. Maybe next spring we will have a chance to get together and share our work.
December 27th, 2011 at 8:24 pm
Thirst is a good word. I love your description of layering the new word over the old: like lace over silk. Beautiful.
December 29th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
“Like lace over silk.” Pentimento.